Sustainability & Green Living

Washington – September 08, 2026 -- Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, has issued a set of travel guidelines aimed at helping tourists avoid attractions that profit from wild animal suffering.

Captive animals face stressful travel and forced public interactions for profit

Nicola White, a wildlife expert at the organization, said captive wild animals are often forced into stressful travel and public interactions marketed as entertainment, conservation or rescue. She said public demand for these encounters drives the capture, breeding and trade of wild animals, subjecting them to significant daily stress with little chance to express natural behaviors.

Leipzig – September 07, 2026 -- Zoo Leipzig has opened Feuerland, a new coastal and marine habitat that recreates the Pacific coast of South America, giving visitors underwater views of seals and Humboldt penguins. The attraction officially opened on September 1, 2026.

A 100-meter tunnel puts visitors face-to-face with marine life

The centerpiece is a swimming pool holding more than five million liters of water, through which a tunnel longer than 100 meters runs, offering 360-degree views of the animals. A wave system keeps the water in motion, while separate beach areas give the animals space to rest away from public view.

Zoo director says animal welfare shaped every design choice

Zoo director Prof. Jörg Junhold said the design focused on both animal needs and new viewing angles for visitors, and he led guests into Feuerland to live music by the band Keimzeit.

New York – September 07, 2026 -- Emmy-winning conservationist Jeff Corwin returns to national television with "Jeff Corwin's Southern Wild," premiering Saturday, October 3, on ABC stations nationwide as part of the Weekend Adventure educational programming block, with air times varying by local market.

The series, produced by Hearst Media Production Group in partnership with Lees-McRae College, was filmed across North Carolina, following Corwin from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic coast.

Corwin Tracks Bears, Alligators and Sea Turtles Across the State

Episodes show Corwin searching for bats and salamanders, encountering black bears, alligators and sea turtles, and snorkeling native waterways to study fish populations. The show also documents wildlife rescue and conservation work as it happens in real time.

Düsseldorf – September 07, 2026 -- German energy provider Grünwelt Energie is urging households to unplug idle electronics before long trips, a move it says cuts both power bills and storm-related damage risk.

Standby devices still drain power even when switched off

Televisions, game consoles, computers and charging stations for large appliances continue to draw electricity in standby mode. Grünwelt Energie recommends disconnecting these fully before departure, which also protects the equipment from surge damage caused by summer thunderstorms.

Cologne – September 04, 2026 -- Moving into a first apartment or shared flat this autumn means learning to separate household waste correctly, according to the German initiative "Mülltrennung wirkt." On average, 30 percent of what ends up in yellow bins and yellow bags across Germany doesn't belong there, the group says.

While landlords or property managers provide the necessary waste bins, tenants themselves are responsible for sorting correctly. "Improperly disposed waste can cause additional costs for all tenants. Even more important: correct waste separation is a prerequisite for functioning recycling loops," said Axel Subklew, spokesperson for the initiative. Packaging made of plastic, glass, or paper that ends up in general waste cannot be recycled.

Bamberg, Germany -- September 01, 2026 -- HomeLink, the home-swap travel network marking its 75th year, is letting new members try the platform free for three months while more than doubling its cancellation guarantee fund from 2,000 to 5,000 euros. The organization connects 60,000 members across 70 countries who trade homes instead of booking hotels, and families can save up to 4,000 euros on accommodation depending on destination and length of stay. The changes apply to HomeLink Deutschland, the German nonprofit branch of the network founded in 1953.

During the free trial, prospective members can list their own home, browse listings from other members and start conversations with potential swap partners. A paid membership only kicks in once two households actually agree to a swap, according to HomeLink.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 15, 2026 – The Attitude Group and its nonprofit arm, the Attitude Foundation, have launched Ekol'o — a converted catamaran turned floating marine education center now operating in the northern lagoon of Mauritius. Active since early June 2026 and based at Anse-la-Raie next to the Lagoon Attitude hotel, Ekol'o represents a significant step forward for ocean awareness on the island: it takes the work of the Marine Discovery Centre, which has been running since 2010, and moves it off the shore and directly into the water. The name comes from Mauritian Creole — "lekol" means school, "o" means water — and the concept is exactly that simple and that ambitious.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – January 1, 2026 – A new report from Great Wall New Media follows Edward, a Malawian farmer who trained in China’s Quzhou “Science and Technology Backyard” model and has now returned home to share practical farming guidance during Malawi’s December sowing season.

From a Training “Backyard” in Hebei to Real Fields in Malawi

According to the report, Edward recently completed training at the agricultural program in Quzhou and has gone back to Malawi, where he is applying what he learned in China to support local farmers with hands-on, practical advice. The story frames his return as a kind of full-circle moment: learning in a Chinese county known for field-based training, then translating that experience into day-to-day decisions that matter during planting season.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 26, 2025 – The ocean tribute Award 2026 is putting marine protection right where it belongs: in the middle of public attention, not tucked away in expert panels. Launched in 2017 by the Monegasque Prince Albert II Foundation, the German Ocean Foundation, and boot Düsseldorf, the award is built around a simple idea—back the people and initiatives who are actually doing the hard work of protecting the ocean, and make their impact visible to everyone.

Why This Award Feels Bigger Than Boating

Even if you don’t own a boat or live near the coast, the ocean shapes daily life in ways we rarely stop to notice—from climate and food systems to biodiversity and the health of coastal communities. That’s why an award like this lands differently: it turns “marine conservation” from an abstract headline into human stories, practical solutions, and projects you can actively support with a vote.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 18, 2025 – Not every sustainability story starts with a brand-new vehicle. Sometimes it starts with what’s already on the road—and a fuel swap that can make everyday driving feel a little less heavy on the climate. That’s the idea behind the HVO Aurora Trial, a European tour featuring a Citroën Berlingo running on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), a renewable diesel made from waste cooking oil and animal fats.